NFIR - Transport Allowance To The Railway Employees

Transport Allowance to the Railway employees – Deprival of higher rate to those working in pay Level 1 & 2 – NFIR

No.IV/NFIR/7CPC(Imp)/Allowance/2016/Part I

Dated: 08/0412018

The Secretary (E),

Railway Board,

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Government’s decision on recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission – Transport Allowance to the Railway employees – Deprival of higher rate to those working in pay Level 1 & 2-reg.

Ref:

(i) Railway Board’s leffer No.PC/V/2017/A/TA/1 dated 17/08/2017 (RBE No.9612017).

(ii) NFIR’s letter No.IV/NFIR/7CPC/Allowance/2016/Part I dated 28/08/2017.

(iii) Railway Board’s letter No.PC-V/2015/PNM/NFIR/4 dated 17/20-1l-2017.

Federation does not agree with the view taken by the Railway Ministry in this case as conveyed to NFIR vide Board’s letter dated 17/20-11-2017. Federation wants that the Railway Ministry should prepare proper case based on the facts and contentions of NFIR as explained in our letter dated 28/08/2017 tobe placed before DoP&T/MoF.

II. Federation reiterates that as a result of issuance of instructions dated 17/08/2017, a situation has arisen wherein the Railway employees in Pay Level 3, drawing pay Rs. 21,700/- and above upto Level 8 hitherto entitled for Transport Allowance @ Rs. 3600 + DA thereon (in A1/A class cities and in other cities @ Rs.1800 + DA thereon) have been deprived of the said rate due to the new norm for entitlement only when their pay reaches Rs.24,2001/-.

III. Further it is relevant to take note that pursuant to acceptance of the recommendations of 5th CPC and 6th CPC, the rates revised as follows:-

(a) Recommendations of 5th CPC – Transport Allowance RBE No. 179/1997 (rates w.e.f. 01/08/1997)

S.No.	Pay Scale of the Employees	A1/ A class city	Other Places
1	Rs.8000-13500 or above	800	400
2	Rs.6500-10500 or above but below Rs.8000-13500	400	200
3	Below Rs.6500-10500	100	75

 Above position reveals that all the employees working in pay scale below Rs. 6500-10500 i.e. upto Rs. 6000-9800 (S1 to S10A) were allowed Transport Allowance at the uniform rate of Rs. 100/- p.m. in A1/A class cities irespective of their pay.

(b) The Railway Board vide circular (RBE No.111/2008 – effective from 01/09/2008 and RBE No.95/2015) had prescribed following rates for payment of Transport Allowance to the  Railway employees.

Employees drawing Grade Pay of Rate of	Transport Allowance for A1/ A class cities
GP 5400 & above	3200 + DA
GP 4200 – 4800, GP below 4200 and pay in pay band: Rs.7440	1600 + DA
GP below 4200 and Pay below Rs.7440	600 + DA

IV. From the comparison of two tables mentioned above, it could be seen that the Railway employees were allowed higher rate of Transport Allowance on drawing pay Rs. 7440/- irrespective of Grade Pay/Pay Band. The modified Board’s instructions issued vide letter dated 03/08/2017 and I7/08/2017, have deprived the Transport Allowance @ Rs. 3600+DA thereon to those in Pay Level 1 and 2 (7th CPC) due to imposition of restriction i.e. reaching the pay Rs.24700/- ignoring the fact that the staff were already drawing pay @ Rs.7440 in 6th CPC Pay Band/Grade Pay.

Federation, therefore requests the Railway Ministry to kindly anange to make out case in the light of NFIR’s contentions for rendering justice to those staff of Pay Level 1 & 2 for granting Transport Allowance at rate i.e. 3600/- + DA thereon when they reach the corresponding pay @ Rs.21700/- and not 24200/- to meet the ends of justice and refer to MoF.

A copy of the reference made to the MoF may be endorsed to the Federation for taking follow up action.

Yours faithfully,

sd/-

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source: NFIR

IBA Circular - Anomaly In Computation Of Pension

Anomaly in computation of Pension – IBA Circular

Anomaly in computation of Pension Civil Appeal No. 5525 of 2012, Filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Bank of Baroda & Ors with other Civil Appeals.HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

No.HR&IR/2018-19/G2/4829

April 6, 2018

Chief Executives of Member Banks which

Are parties to the 7th Bipartite Settlement

Dear Sir/Madam,

CORRIGENDUM

Anomaly in computation of Pension Civil Appeal No. 5525 of 2012, Filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Bank of Baroda & Ors with other Civil Appeals.

Please refer to our circular No. HR&IR/2018-19/G2/4786 dated 3rd April 2018 on the captioned subject.

2. There is a typographical error in the date mentioned in para (I) of the above circular. Kindly read as under-

“ On 29-10-1993, a Bi-partite Settlement was signed at Industry level between India Banks’ Association (representing member Banks) and Workmen Unions (representing Workmen) under the provisions of Industrial Dispute Act, 1947 for introduction of Pension as a second retiral benefit in lieu of “Banks contribution to Provident fund”. On similar lines a Joint Note dated 29-10-1993 between Indian Banks’ Association (representing member Banks) and Officers Association (representing Officers) was signed”.

Inconvenience caused is regretted.

Yours faithfully,

B Raj Kumar

Deputy Chief Executive

View Circular

Authority: http://www.iba.org.in/

NFIR WRITES TO MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

NFIR WRITES TO MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

No.II/95/2018

Dated: 05/04/2018

Shri Piyush Goyal,
Hon’ble Minister of Railways & Coal,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi

Respected Sir,

Sub: Meeting with the Federations on 4th April, 2018 at Rail Bahvan, New Delhi-reg.

Ref: Railway Board’s letter No. 2018/E(LR)III/Ref/NFIR & AIRF/03 dated 02/04/2018.

While thanking you for sparing your valuable time and joining the Federations during discussions with Member Staff on 4th April, 2018 at Rail Bhavan, New Delhi, I desire to bring your kind notice that though agreements were reached on the following issues years back, between the full Board and the Federations, the orders are however yet to be issued:-

(i) Stepping up of pay of Loco Inspectors inducted prior to 01/01/2006.

(ii) Replacement of 6th CPC GP 4600 with GP 4800.

(iii) Upgradation of Apex Level Group ‘C’ posts of 6th CPC GP 4600 to GP 4800 (3335 posts).

You may kindly appreciate that abnormal delay on the part of Railway Ministry has been causing disappointment among Railway employees in general and those working in critical safety categories in particular. I seek your kind intervention to see that Railway Board issues orders for implementation of commitment on the above.

Yesterday i.e. on 04th April, 2018, during discussions I made a special appeal to you to reach the Finance Minister and Hon’ble Prime Minister for exempting Railways from the National Pension System (NPS), considering the uniqueness of Railways and its complex working and un-comparable nature of duties being performed by Railway employees under open sky facing all odds for ensuring uninterrupted movement of trains and maintenance of infrastructure. I am thankful to you for positive response on the subject. I however, once again appeal to you to kindly take special initiative so that Railways is exempted from NPS. I also enclose copy of my letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I dated 19/03/2018 for kind perusal and necessary action.

Yours sincerely,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

View letter

Source: NFIR

NFIR - Exemption of Railways from New Pension Scheme (NPS)

Exemption of Railways from New Pension Scheme (NPS)

No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I

Dated: 19/03/2018

Shri Piyush Goyal,

Hon’ble Minister of Railways,

Rail Bhavan,

New Delhi

Dear Shri Goyalji,

Sub: Exemption of Railways from New Pension Scheme (NPS) –reg.

Ref: (i) Hon’ble MR’s D.O. No. 2012/F(E)III/1/4-Pt dated 29th March 2014 to Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India

(ii) Hon’ble MR’s D.O. No. 2012/F(E)III/1/1/4-Pt dated 20th Nov 2015 to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely.

(iii)NFIR’s letter No. IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I dated 13th Feb, 2017, 26th Oct, 2017 and 11/12/2017.

(iv) Railway Board’s letter No. 2012/F(E)/III/1(1)/4-Pt dated 13/02/2018 to GS/NFIR.

Kind attention is invited to the correspondence cited under reference, latest being Railway Board’s reply received vide letter dated 13/02/2018 wherein the Federation has been conveyed that the Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs has communicated that the matter was re-considered in consultation with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and the request for exempting Railway employees appointed on or after 01/01/2004 from the application of NPS does not seem to be a feasible proposition. While NFIR does not agree with the reply of Hon’ble Finance Minister, the Federation re-iterates the valid points placed below, urging upon the Railway Ministry to impress upon the Government, the need for exempting Railways from “National Pension System (NPS).

The Ministry of Finance and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have failed to appreciate the facts that the nature of duties performed by the Railway employees is un-comparable, unique, complex, hazardous and akin to the duties being performed by the Armed Forces, in whose case the NPS has not been made applicable.

The Finance Ministry has also failed to appreciate that even during the British rule the Indian Railways was conceived and operated as an auxilary wing of the Army by virtue of its complex nature of role and uniqueness of working of Railway employees which in turn requires a high degree of discipline, efficiency to run the services and carry passenger and freight traffic throughout the country including supplies to the borders of the nation.

The Finance Ministry has also failed to evaluate that it is the Indian Railways which works as supply line to the Armed Forces during crisis periods by transporting troops from one corner to the other including the nation’s borders besides transporting Military hardware and other war material. In no way the performance of Railway employees can be underestimated than that of the Defence Forces Personnel.

Like Armed Forces, many of the Railway Personnel do stay away from their families for longer durations in the course of performing duties at remote places where minimum basic amenities like suitable accommodation, schooling, drinking water, health care facilities have been missing. Comparing the structure and importance of Railways with that of the Army, it would not be out of place to state that just as the “Army requires a critical mass to fight battle/war, in similar way critical mass of trained employees is required to maintain Railway Tracks, Rolling Stock and ensure operation of services”. On an average over 700 Railway employees die per annum while performing their duties and nearly 3000 employees sustain injuries as reported by High Level Safety Review Committee (HLSRC) headed by Shri Anil Kakodkar. The sacrifices of Railway employees are unparallel.

Considering the strong merits in the demand of the Federation, Hon’ble MRs have written to the Minister of Finance to have a re-look into the case to be considered favourably to exempt Railways from the ambit of National Pension System (NPS)

Federation desires to mention that the Finance Ministry has erred and equally not considered the justified demand of the Railway employees projected by NFIR, perhaps applying different logic and ignoring the facts mentioned above. In this connection, NFIR reminds that the Federation leaders in the meeting held on 09th February, 2018 at Rail Bhavan, New Delhi had specifically requested the Hon’ble MR to kindly reach the Hon’ble Prime Minister for getting Railways exempted from the application of National Pension System (NPS). It is a known fact that the NPS has generated lot of anger and anguish among the younger generation of Railway employees appointed on or after 01/01/2004 due to the inherent disadvantages of the NPS which does not guarantee even minimum pension i.e. half of the last pay drawn by the Railway employees.

NFIR, therefore, once again urges upon the Hon’ble MR to kindly take steps for reaching the Hon’ble Prime Minister for getting exemption of Railways from NPS at an early date.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Dr. M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary.

Source: NFIR

NFIR - Re-Fixation Of Pay Of Running Staff In 7th CPC Pay Level

Re-fixation of pay of Running Staff in 7th CPC pay level – NFIR

No.I/2/Part IV

Dated: 02/04/2018

The Secretary (E),

Railway Board,

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Re-fixation of pay of Running Staff in 7th CPC pay level-

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM Item No. 05/2017.

(ii) Railway Board’s letter No. PC-VII/2016/IC/2 dated 21/08/2017 (RBE No. 99/2017)

(iii) NFIR’s letter No. I/2/Part IV dated 20/02/2018.

(iv) Railway Board’s letter No. PC-VIII/2017/R-U/37 dated 07/03/2018 addressed to GS/NFIR.

With reference to reply received from Railway Board vide letter dated 07/03/2018. Federation cites below the specific cases where the running staff promoted during the period July and December, 2016 have not been granted pay re-fixation duly obtaining their option.

(i) On Raipur Division of South East Central Railway, 53 Guard (Goods) PB-I + GP 2800/- were promoted to Senior Guard (Goods) in PB-2 + GP 4200/- on dated 29/07/2016. A copy of notification issued by the Sr. DPO, Raipur Division on 27/07/2016 is enclosed as Annexure to this letter.

(ii) Similarly, 127 Assistant Loco Pilot in PB-I + GP 2400/- were promoted to Loco Pilot (Goods) PB-2 + GP 4200/- on 08th December, 2016 on Kota Division on West Central Railway.

Federation also visualizes that there might be similar cases of Running and other category staff on the different Divisions/Zones where the re-option opportunity not given, resulting loss of fixation benefit.

In this connection, Federation desires to state that in the above situations, the staff were eligible to be continued in the 6th CPC grade pay on promotion and equally opt for a date from which, they should be switched over to 7th CPC pay. These staff when submitted their options to the respective Administrations, they were denied the pay fixation after promotion date, though permissible under the rules. Cases cited above are sufficient to prove that injustice has been done to those promoted in between July and December, 2016 by denying option for pay fixation in 7th CPC pay level after the date of promotion.

NFIR therefore, once again requests the Railway Board to issue clear; classificatory instructions to the Zones, Production Units etc for allowing pay re-fixation in respect of staff who have been promoted during July-December, 2016 on the basis of their option/re-option.

A copy of instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)

General Secretary.

Source: NFIR

CGDA - Review Of Hard And Tenure Stations

Review of hard and tenure stations – CGDA

OFFICE OF CONTROLLER GENERAL OF DEFENCE ACCOUNTS

ULAN BATAR MARG. PALAM, DELHI CANTT – 110010

Circular No. 25012(1)(17)/AN-X/Unpopular

Dated: 28/03/2018

To
All PCsDA’PCA(Fys)/PIFAs/CsDA/IFAs’CFA (FYS)

Subject: Review of hard and tenue stations
Reference: HQrs office letter No.25012/AN/X/2014 dated 15.17.2014.

As you are that certain stations have been categorized as ‘Hard’ and ‘Tenure’ stations for the purpose of transfer/posting. In order to rotate staff/officers at hard and tenure stations, a fixed tenure has been prescribed for each of the stations.

2. The service conditions and the accessibility of facilities at various hard and tenure stations continue to change from time to time. Overall economic and infrastructural development in these areas cans for a review from time to time. Hence, the competent authority has decided to review the status of all hard and tenure stations.

3. In order to take an appropriate view on continuation/discontinuation addition of any new station in this category, it is requested that your considered views in respect of hard and tenure stations falling under your jurisdiction may be communicated to HQrs office latest by 15th April 2018 in the enclosed proforma. While forwarding your comments, the degree of climatic/topographic hardships at these stations, availability of basic facilities like schools, hospitals, accommodation etc., accessibility of the station by rail or road or any other mean and effect of revised tenure on volunteers for different stations, if any, may be taken into

consderation.

sd/-

(Kavita Garg)

Sr.Dy.CGDA (AN)

Order Copy

Authority: http://cgda.nic.in/

Applicability Of Provisions Of “Persons With Disabilities

Equal Opportunities, Protection and Rights to Persons with Disabilities

“Applicability of provisions of “Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection and rights and full participation) Act, 1995”

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

RAILWAY BOARD

RBE No.46/2018

No.F(E)III/2008/PN1/12

New Delhi, dated 23.03.2018

The GMs/Prinicipal Financial Advisers,
All Zonal Railways/Production Units etc.,
(As per mailing list)

Sub: Retirement of Government Servant under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 and Central Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules-applicability of provisions of “Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection and rights and full participation) Act, 1995”.

A copy of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW)’s O.M. 21/1/16-P&PW(F) dated 30th September, 2016 on the above subject is enclosed for information and compliance. These instructions shall apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways also. Rule 38, 48 & 48-A of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, correspond to Rule 55,66 & 67 of the Railway Services (Pension) Rules, 1993 respectively and Civil Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1939 correspond to Railway Services (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 1993. Department of Personnel & Training’s O.Ms No. 18017/1/2014-Estt.(L) dated 25.02.2015 and No. 25012/1/2015-Estt.(A-IV) dated 19.05.2015 referred to in the enclosed O.M. dated 30.09.2016, have been adopted on Railways vide this office’s letter No. E(P&A)I-2017/CPC/LE-5 dated 30.08.2017.

(G. Priya Sudarsani)

Joint Director, Finance (Estt.),

Railway Board.

Source: NFIR

Online Pension Sanction And Payment Tracking System Called ‘BHAVISHYA

BHAVISHYA – Pension Sanction & Payment Tracking System

An Initiative of Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

BHAVISHYA

Department of P&PW has introduced an online Pension Sanction and Payment Tracking System called ‘BHAVISHYA’. Actions for timely payment of retirement dues and issue of Pension Payment Order (PPO) start one years before the date of retirement of the employee. There are a number of intervening stages and the system will pinpoint delays at each stage to enable timely interventions. The tracking can be done by the retiring employee as well as the administrative authorities.

In addition, forms required during the process are available in electronic format. The retiring employee can fill the forms online. It facilitates the administrative authorities by processing the claims and passing on the calculated amounts and other details to the Pay and Accounts Offices. The new system will also capture personal information, service data and contact details like mobile number and e-mail etc. The retiring employees will be kept informed of the progress of pension sanction process through SMS/E-mail.

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has implemented an online system called ‘BHAVISHYA’ for retiring central government civil employees. The system provides for on-line tracking of pension sanction and payment process. Tracking can be done by the individual as well as the administrative authorities for all actions preparatory to grant of pension and other retirement benefits. This is in line with the priorities of Government to ensure transparency and accountability in systems and processes.

At present, Bhavishya is implemented in main secretariat of 89 Ministries/ Departments except Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Defence, Department of Post, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Tele communication and some security related sensitive organizations.

There is no such proposal to revamp the payment of pension through Public Sector Banks. However, the data base for the existing pensioners is being updated by the Authorized Banks for pensions’ payment once in a year through master data reconciliation with Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) and from time to time based on the Special Seal Authority (SSA) issued by CPAO to Central Pension Processing Centers (CPPCs) of Banks.

The Authorized Banks submit the report of payment of pension through e-scrolls to CPAO after making the payment of pension. Life Certificate is submitted by the Central Civil Pensioners/ Family Pensioners in the month of November every year and excess payment of pension may happen if the pensioner dies before the coming November, i.e., the next due date of submission of Life Certificate. If excess/ wrong payment of pension is paid to the pensioner by Public Sector Banks then entire amount is recovered by the Banks from the pensioners/ family pensioners as per the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in this regard. During the financial year 2016-17, an amount of about Rs. 73 crore was received/ recovered from the Authorized Banks by the Central Pension Accounting Office in respect of central civil pensioners/family pensioners.

Booking to Tatkal Tickets & Measures to Avoid Misuse of Tatkal Scheme

Tatkal Booking: OTP Compulsory for all net Banking Payment options

Ministry of Railways

Booking to Tatkal Tickets & Measures to Avoid Misuse of Tatkal Scheme

On Indian Railways, reserved accommodation including Tatkal accommodation can be booked through computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) on first come first served basis. During peak rush periods/days when demand outstrips the availability, reserved accommodation especially in higher classes and on popular routes gets exhausted within short duration of opening of reservation. However, during lean periods, on non-popular and lower classes, the accommodation remains available for longer duration. The phenomenon is more relevant for Tatkal where limited accommodation is earmarked. This happens as the available limited accommodation is accessed simultaneously through more than 10,300 counters at 3465 computerised Passenger Reservation Centers as well as through internet.

To avoid misuse of Tatkal Scheme, there are some inbuilt features in Tatkal scheme which includes provision of not granting refund on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets except in case of certain special circumstances indicated in the scheme, not allowing any modification of Tatkal ticket, etc. Some additional steps have also been taken to facilitate the passengers and to avoid the misuse, some of which are:-

•  Staggering of the timings of reservation under Tatkal scheme.
• Captcha implementation in Registration, Login and Booking page to check fraudulent booking through automation software.
• Imposition of minimum time limit before proceeding for payment gateway as well as after making payment while booking tickets through internet.
• Making OTP(one time password) compulsory for all net Banking Payment options.
• Disabling authorised agents to book Tatkal tickets during first half an hour of opening of reservation.

To keep a check on the activities of touts, preventive as well as regular checks are conducted jointly/individually by Vigilance, Security and Commercial Departments, and the action against the culprits is taken as per provisions of Section 143 of Railways Act, 1989.

This information was made available in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Source: PIB News

NFIR - Educational Assistance to College-going children of Non-Gazetted Railway Board Staff

Educational Assistance to College-going children of Non-Gazetted Railway Board Staff

Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organisation
Room No.267, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi-110001
Phone No. 23387107

President: Mrs.Arunima Lohani
Secretary: Mrs.Rashmi Ranjan
Treasurer: Mrs.Meena Mathur

No.27/RWWCO/E.A.

Dated 14th March, 2018

Sub: Educational Assistance to College-going children of Non-Gazetted Railway Board Staff.

The Railway Women’s Welfare Central Orgnisation proposes to grant Educational Assistance to the wards of Non-Gazetted Staff of Railway Board, pursuing 3-Year Degree/Diploma and Post-Graduate Courses as also post-Matriculation Technical Certificate/Vocational Training/Nursing and Secretarial Courses.

The quantum of assistance and the number of students to whom assistance will be granted would be decided by the Management Council of RWWCO.

The assistance will be given on the basis of the scholastic record of the student and will be sanctioned for the Academic Year 2016-17. Minimum marks obtained in the last publiec examination should be 60% in aggregate in case of children of MTS(erst-while Group- staff) and 80% in case of other classes of Non-Gazetted Staff.

Desirous Non-Gazetted staff whose children are studying for regular Degree Courses and other courses mentioned above may submit their applications in the proforma available in RB(W)-I Branch, Room No.267, Conference Hall, Rail Bhavan, to the Secretary, RWWCO latest by 13th April, 2018.

sd/-

(RASHMI RANJAN)

Secretarty/RWWCO)

View letter

Source: NFIR